‘Buying Kylian Mbappe not clever’ – Sir Jim Ratcliffe

Manchester United stakeholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe says spending a ‘fortune’ to sign Kylian Mbappe will not be ideal as far as his plans for the club are concerned.

Mbappe is expected to be on the market at the end of the season with his contract ending at Paris Saint-Germain.

The France international has reportedly told the Ligue 1 side of his intentions not to renew his contract when it expires.

Though Real Madrid are said to be in the lead for his services nothing has been closed yet with other clubs lurking around.

Man United, who are mentioned as one of the clubs, have ruled themselves out of going for the Frenchman.

“I would rather sign the next Mbappe rather than spend a fortune buying success,” Ratcliffe told Geraint Thomas’ Cycling Club podcast when asked if he would rather sign Mbappe for United or superstar cyclist Tadej Pogacar for his INEOS racing team.

“It’s not that clever buying Mbappe. Anyone could figure that one out. More challenging is to find the next Mbappe or next Jude Bellingham or next Roy Keane.”

Ratcliffe is quick to point out that United will take a “longer road” back to its past glory, with no plans to throw money at problems and risk more regression in an era of inconsistency under the controversial Glazer family ownership group.